going solarWHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

An introduction to the solar process, cost, and technology.

Regulated by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation: TECL: 30319

An Alba Energy Solar Consultant will be reaching out to you shortly. Here’s what you can expect:

We’ll begin with a conversation about your energy needs & a look at your electric bill’s 12

month history.

Based on your usage and satellite imagery of

your home, our engineering team will assemble a custom

system design & cost-savings analysis to

show you how much you’ll save with solar.

Your Solar Consultant will set a time with you

to review your solar plan and answer all

your questions.

We’re Alba Energy, and we’re thrilled that you’re taking a huge step towards energy ownership, monthly

electricity savings, and a cleaner planet.

it’s nice to meet you!

how does solar work?

Your solar panels capture the sun’s rays and produce

DC power.

1 3Any excess energy

is sent to the electric grid for use when you need it.

2Your solar inverters

convert that DC electricity into AC that

powers your home and appliances.

5Once qualified, you

will receive credits on your bill for the solar energy you produce

each month.

4The grid and your utility

company act as your backup on cloudy days or at night

ensuring seamless delivery of electricity to your home.

what should you look for in solar technology?

MONOCRYSTALLINE VS POLYCRYSTALLINE

The di�erence between mono and poly panels comes down to quality of silicon, and thus panel e�ciency.

Monocrystalline panels are a purer silicon, and can be identified by their uniform, consistent coloring. Monocrystalline panels have a higher e�ciency, and are better for optimizing space.

Polycrystalline panels are often blue in appear-ance and o�er a lower grade silicone. They are less e�cient in converting sunlight, and so more panels are required to achieve the same e�ciency as a monocrystalline system. The panels are cheaper, though, and so this could be a good option for someone with an excess of space.

What is panel e�ciency refers to the percentage of sunlight that is successfully converted to AC energy.

PANELS INVERTERS

what should you look for in

solar technology?

The percentage of sunlight that is successfully converted by the panels. Higher e�ciency panels mean fewer panels are needed to cover energy needs.

STRING INVERTERS VS MICROINVERTERS

Inverters are the most important part of the system, as they convert the DC energy to AC energy. High quality panels with a low quality inverter system ultimately means a low e�ciency system. There are two common types of inverters o�ered by most solar companies.

DC

AC

To home & meter

Microinverters

DC

AC

To home & meter

String Inverters

String inverters carry the DC energy through the conduit to a central converter. They treat groups of panels as a single panel, so if any one panel experiences shading or any issues, it cuts the e�ciency of all panels in the group.

Microinverters convert the energy of each panel individually and operate at a lower voltage. They optimize the e�ciency of every panel regardless of shading or any issues with one particular panel.

WHAT IS PANEL EFFICIENCY?

MONITORING YOUR SYSTEMMany solar inverter systems will o�er a tablet/phone app that allows you to monitor your system production to see how each panel is performing at various times in the day.

Year of

Free Power

what happens to your utility bill? When you go solar, you’re still connected to your utility

company and the grid. The excess energy you create with your solar panels is sent to the grid so your home can remain powered at night and on low-production days without needing to have expensive home batteries in your house.

Your new bill will reflect the total amount of energy your household consumed over the course of the month, as well as what that would

normally cost with traditional energy.

The bill will then reflect the amount of solar your system produced.

By subtracting your produced energy from your total consumption, your bill will reflect your net consumption and

your net total bill.

On months where you under-produce based on your needs, you

may have a small utility bill.

On months where you over-produce based on your needs, you may have

a credit in dollars or in kWh produced that will roll over to next month.

what are my options for going solar?

Decreased dependency on utility company

Increases home value by adding an asset to your home & decreasing your utility bill

Fixed cost of power

Monthly savings on electricity

Reduces your home’s carbon footprint

Transfers to new homeowner through sale of home

25-year manufacturer’s warranty

You’ll pay a monthly loan payment until the system is paid o�

SOLAR OWNERSHIP POWER PURCHASE AGREEMENT (PPA)

Decreased dependency on utility company

Increases home value by decreasing your utility bill

Fixed cost of power

Monthly savings on electricity

Reduces your home’s carbon footprint

Transferable to new homeowner upon sale of home

25-year bumper-to-bumper warranty

You’ll pay a fixed rate for electricity per kWh with a low, fixed rate of inflation over time

Homeowners have two options in going solar: ownership, or a Power Purchase Agreement. Let’s look at the similarities and di�erences.

SOLD

paying for solar Most people who go solar pay $0 upfront and choose to finance their system so they experience a low, fixed cost of energy rather than paying for the whole system upfront.

Monthly payment plan over 12 or 20 years

SOLAR OWNERSHIP

POWER PURCHASE AGREEMENT (PPA)

Upfront cost: $0

Financed amount: $0

Monthly payment: Your electric usage x your electricity rate

When you decide to own your system, you’re eligible to receive rebates from your utility company, the federal government, AND a free year of power from us to help with the overall cost of your system.

When you decide to go solar with a PPA, you’ll pay nothing upfront. You’ll simply pay for your system as you use the power you need.

Utility electric rate with an

average increase of

4% each yearPPA electric rate with a

fixed increase of 1.9% each

year

Upfront cost: $0

Financed amount: Your total system cost, minus utility rebates, a 30% Investment Tax Credit, and a Free Year of Power from Alba Energy

Monthly payment: based on your payment plan

(The money you’re saving with your

solar PPA)

Your solar

payment plan

Escalating utility rates - the money

you’re saving by owning your solar system.

how does solar help you save money?

No doubt, you’ve noticed your annual increases in your electric bill year after year. This occurs as supply of fossil fuels declines, while the demand for electricity keeps rising. Since 2006, Americans have seen a 30% increase in electricity rates with no sign of slowing down.

SOLAR PAYMENT

SAVINGS FROM SOLAR

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*Based on average usage at the time of system install. Should your electric usage increase dramatically, your solar system

may no longer cover most or all of your energy needs.

RISING ELECTRIC RATES OVER TIME

When you own your solar system, you’ll add value to your overall home value, so when you sell your

home, you’re able to gain back the value of your system and your energy costs. Your solar payment

will cover most or all of your electric usage.* As utility prices continue to rise year after year, your locked in

solar payment will protect you from the rising rates.

ENERGY OWNERSHIP

With a PPA, you pay no money out of pocket and pay less per kWh from day one. Your fixed cost of energy

will have a lower inflation rate than your utility company, o�ering escalating savings over time.

SOLAR PPA

what solar option is right for you?

easy transfer and $4 per watt & Ron Dean

You’re a good candidate for owning your solar if:

You’re a good candidate for a solar PPA if:

You plan to live in your home more than 3 years

You are eligible for all incentives

You are able to take out a loan or you have the funds to invest

You are ineligible for the solar Investment Tax Credit

You plan to move in 1-3 years

You don’t want to take out a loan

Should you own your solar or go with a PPA? Both options have benefits depending on your current situation and longtime plans. But best of all, no matter what, we have an ideal solar solution for you.

NABCEPcertified engineering

team

how to pick a good solar contractor

In-house team from consultants to

installers

A great online reputation and real customers referralseasy transfer and $4 per

watt & Ron Dean

Going solar should be a breeze. It’s a solar company’s job to do all the legwork. That means once you decide to go solar, you sit back while we handle the permitting and logistics. When we’re ready to install, we’ll call you to set a date that works for you. And, we’ll start and finish your install all in one day.

No pushy salespeople, just a

low-key, consultative and

informative approach to solar